Growing Eggplant, also Aubergine

Solanum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
        T              
        P              

(Best months for growing Eggplant in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 75°F and 90°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 24 - 30 inches apart
  • Harvest in 12-15 weeks. Cut fruit with scissors or sharp knife.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Beans, capsicum, lettuce, amaranth, thyme
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

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06 Apr 15, Paysin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi It's probably ok till April but once it gets cooler it won't do very well. Try staking the plant as it supports it to help produce bigger fruit. Also if there are multiple fruits then they can be a bit smaller.
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28 Feb 15, Louise (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My eggplants are growing beautifully. They are pretty much full size and have been purple until today. They have now got a yellowish tinge on the skins. They are watered regularly and have heaps of sun. I live in Brisbane Queensland.
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17 Jan 15, Roger (Australia - temperate climate)
I have experienced the same issue as Pam. Planted my Eggplant in November from seeds. Got healthy plants with flowers , but only one small fruit about the size of a large apple on one plant. Water not an issue. Garden reticulated. Any suggestions
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07 Oct 14, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
I am trying to find out where I might be able to find some Thai Pea Eggplants in Australia/Victoria do you have any suggestions
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16 Oct 14, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Thankyou for your suggestion about the Thai Pea Eggplants at Bunning's, I will have to check it out this week end
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10 Oct 14, Arani (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have seen these in Bunning's seedlings section. Its in the heirloom variety section.
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05 Oct 14, Kirsten Camilleri (Australia - tropical climate)
My eggplant is healthy and has doubled in size since planting. I have had many flowers develop however they fall off, stem and all, and I haven't produced any fruit as a result of it. How can I can the problem? Ta
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03 Jan 15, Roy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello Jan and Kirsten, Same problem, healthy plants which have grown well, I should have said "I had the same problem" until having taken one of the flowers off and rubbing that one into the stamens of other flowers and voila, fruit. in fact too many.
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06 Dec 14, Jan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Kirsten, did you get any answers to this question, I have the same problem. I purchased a grafted eggplant from Bunnings. same as I did last year but I had an abundance of eggplant last year. This year the flowers form then shrink and fall off. no eggplant behind them. Has anyone got any clues to this problem?
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25 Mar 14, Donald Chandraratna (Australia - arid climate)
Can I prune the old plants and wait for the next summer
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Showing 131 - 140 of 266 comments
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Flowers sometimes need to be pollinated by hand to form fruit. Not enough bees around at some times of year. Just go out there with a cotton bud and transfer the pollen between flowers and you will have a bounty of fruit forming.

- Another gardener

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